Summer Makeup: The Best Pro Tips, Tricks, and of Course, Products We Love

I am, quite admittedly, a beauty junkie. Before I worked in media, I spent the majority of my babysitting money from college and summer jobs at Sephora. When I was in college, I was the go-to girl for getting glam before a night out. And with all of the trying-trying-trying of products and formulations I became quite the aficionado of all things skincare, lipstick, blush, and everything in between. You could even say that it prepared me for what I do for a living now.

Given that part of my job as the senior digital editor at T&C is covering the best of the best when it comes to luxury beauty, it seems only fitting that I would give some product swap suggestions for summer—and even snag some tips from my favorite pros as well. Read on for eight tweaks you can make to your summer beauty routine this year, and the 17 products that will help you along your way.

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When in doubt, pick a bronzer with microshimmer.

Michael Stillwell

Shimmering bronzer found redemption in the last few years thanks to advances in how we treat shimmer. Nowadays, formulations are so finely milled that you can have radiance with your skintone warming powder without chunky glitter. Most days, I will reach for either RMS Buriti Bronzer (it’s sheer and a cream formula for nearly bare-faced days) or my very favorite Smith & Cult Book of Sun Blush Bronzer Poudre (it’s warming, but not orange) for the most subtle sunkisses across my forehead, on my cheekbones and through my crease to pull the look together. It’s instantly polishing. Just remember, if you are using cream blush and highlighter, powder comes last.

It’s no longer cute to skip out on sunscreen. These days, though, I prefer a mineral formula such as REN’s Clean Screen because it’s zinc-based, dries matte and doesn’t have a noticeable cast on my skin. That said, Kosas founder Sheena Yaitanes advised me that a little bit of a cast is actually useful for my color cosmetics—especially cream blushes. “Mineral sunscreen does double duty as sun protection and primer, but the slight cast left from the zinc will make your blush color pop a little more,” she explains. The more you know.

While I don’t mind a powder bronzer during warmer months, I find that using cream blush tends to be more practical. Not only do cream blushes look more natural and impart a very sheer, workable glow, but you can tap them back into place throughout the day. On the warmest of days this comes in handy— especially because the texture of layered powder products can go a little funky once you have sweat and humidity in the mix. I alternate between Kosas Velvet Melon for a peachy hue and Jillian Dempsey Cheek Tint in Rosy for a flush when my skin is a bit more tan.

I love a good feline flick as much as the next girl, but during warmer months I like to soften my look, either using a blended out eyeshadow or kohl pencil to define my eyes. And if I’m feeling cool, I let any smudges that happen during the day stay put. Although imperfect eyeliner adds a little"je ne sais quoi" to a look, I opt for a waterproof mascara during humid months because Panda eyes are never a good look. Let’s be honest. MILK Makeups Kush mascara has long been my favorite for thick, juicy and voluminous lashes, and they added a waterproof formulation just in time for things to get really humid in New York. Score!

This next tip comes from Amanda Bell, Pixi Beauty’s creative director. “Translucent powder will absorb excess moisture and oil from the lid and give a texture that powder eyeshadow can grip to, keeping your smoky eye in place.” I gravitate to less noticeable makeup during warmer months, for a more golden goddess kind of vibe. As such, I read for a lot of palettes with warm hues and if the occasion calls for it some shimmer

I’m convinced my skin looks better during the summer, so I find myself needing less and less coverage from my base. I like a hydrating tint that just gives my skin a little something else, and if need be, I go in with a high coverage concealer if I have a blemish. These days I am obsessed with CHANEL’s Les Beiges Eau de Teint, which hydrates the skin and gives it a sheer veil—your skin but better. Then I just add a little Rituel de Fille Ethereal Veil Conceal and Cover under my eyes, because it’s blendable, looks like skin, covers just about everything and comes in a very convenient compact. On days when I’m not using said genius product, I like to add Drunk Elephant's D Bronzi in Kosas Tinted Face Oil for the perfect mix of glow and light coverage.

Because why not add a little pop of color to your look when it’s warmer out. CHANEL makeup artist Fulvia Farolfi advises that if you’re lightening up on complexion coverage, you can really play with colorful statements. One tip: “I recommend CHANEL Le Volume Révolution de Chanel Mascara (it comes in 4 beautiful colors ) and a touch of touch of blush on the cheeks." I'm partial to the teal hue—brightening and unexpected.

When it comes to highlighter, powder tends to call attention to texture and pores more when it’s warmer out. If I wear a highlighter, I prefer to either use Honest Beauty Multi-Purpose Beauty Balm or Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter for a non-shimmery, but still glowy radiance. Don’t forget the cupid’s bow!

Who wants to fuss with keeping a bright lipstick in place during the summer? Not I. Instead, I like a glossy pout. Linda Wells, founder of Flesh beauty agrees, explaining, “Lip gloss is sheer and shiny—and that’s exactly what feels right in summer. Its transparency is like a gossamer dress, whereas matte lipstick is more cashmere sweater. Many matte lipsticks have drying ingredients, and those can make the lips look smaller.” I am partial to a rosy gloss to make my lips look more succulent, or a peachy shimmer for a beachier vibe. My go-to, Hourglass High Shine Volumizing Lip Gloss, which are so easy to apply. Bonus: they plump. Marc Reagan, Director of Artistry and Education for the brand tells us, “the hyaluronic acid in the formulation adds instant hydration, but also gives you a longlasting plumping effect with none of the sting of traditional plumpers.

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